Any Fans of Cowboy Songs?

[Dotneck]

Have you listened to Mike Beck...sort of a modern version of cowboy songs...songs about the west...his horse etc. Good stuff...he plays a Gibson AJ, too.

[SalFromChatham]

As an interesting aside, check out the history of the writing of Don't Fence Me In.

[Slinky]

Originally Posted by Long Jon

Silly Moustache nails it !

Great song of yours Andy, but I am afraid it may be disqualified ... It's got waaay too many chords for true cowboys !

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that.

[The Bard Rocks]

To the OP and others - Yes I like this stuff as well and perform some of it. I put it in three categories. One are the original folk songs, the simple songs which real cowboys sang (Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie, Little Joe the Wrangler,...). Then there were the movie-based and songs from the heyday of cowboy popularity (1930's-60's). Ridin' Down the Canyon is one of them. And last is Western Swing; that's the "Western" of what used to be called "Country and Western". As time progressed, these songs got increasingly more complex and more interesting, but I'd draw the line at saying "better". It's all good.

[Long Jon]

Originally Posted by themissal

As an interesting aside, check out the history of the writing of Don't Fence Me In.

Oh yeah, thanks man, what we need, set us a research project !

How bout a link there pardner ?

[cyclistbrian]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

To the OP and others - Yes I like this stuff as well and perform some of it. I put it in three categories. One are the original folk songs, the simple songs which real cowboys sang (Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie, Little Joe the Wrangler,...). Then there were the movie-based and songs from the heyday of cowboy popularity (1930's-60's). Ridin' Down the Canyon is one of them. And last is Western Swing; that's the "Western" of what used to be called "Country and Western". As time progressed, these songs got increasingly more complex and more interesting, but I'd draw the line at saying "better". It's all good.

Good points. The movie songs are pop songs in the style of the era but with cowboy or western themed lyrics to suit the story. I like some of those songs. Call Of The Canyon or I've Got Spurs That Jingle Jangle Jingle come to mind.

Of course Western Swing isnt really cowboy music at all but rather country music laced with swing. I really like Western Swing. I perform a number of the simpler Bob Wills or Cindy Walker tunes.

There is a Western Music Association whose performers keep cowboy music alive. Lets just say the people who like it really like it. There is some great singing. It is an aquired taste. I can't get into it but that's just me.

I prefer my cowboy music straight up like whiskey neat or black coffee, Yodeling Slim Clark style.

[jgmaute]

You mentioned Chuck Pyle, Christine Lavin posted this video in Chuck's memory this week. This is the first song I heard Chuck sing (complete with poem intro) on one of Chris's complilations, Big Times in A Small Town. I became an instant fan. He is missed.

[nedray]

Check out Riders in the Sky (the group, not the song) if you think cowboy songs are all simple. Ranger Doug has some pretty fancy grips. I can't seem to figure out the embed process, but the link should work.

https://youtu.be/-FrbwJYyLW0

[mlbman]

Excellent posts guys. I am learning a lot. I am more convinced that this is the niche I should be in-----Authentic Cowboy songs------even though I have never lived outside of Indiana. However, I have read a lot about the old west and have loved it since I was a kid. I would love to be part of the process of keeping alive the heritage that is the old west. By the way, are most cowboy songs just a few chords? If so, why is that so? I love them, but the guitar work is mainly strumming is that correct? I don't have a problem with that and it suits me well but just curious. Thanks for the education guys.

[Bunny64]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Blimey ! This old Limey never expected such nice remarks, thank you.

You are more than welcome. You got me cowboy!

[jaymarsch]

Here's one of my favorite current singer songwriters in the
Western/Cowboy genre - Joyce Woodson. You should really check out her music.



Best,
Jayne

[mlbman]

Fantastic song Jayne and what a wonderful voice! Lovely lyrics. Thanks for sharing that.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by mlbman

Fantastic song Jayne and what a wonderful voice! Lovely lyrics. Thanks for sharing that.

Glad you liked it. I met her at a songwriting camp a few years back and enjoyed taking a class from her. And, I too, am from Indiana.

Best,
Jayne

[rumble]

Yipee ty yi ya, and a ahoo.. That put a smile on my face

[modgar]

Don Edwards:

http://www.donedwardsmusic.com/